New England Journal on Criminal and Civil Confinement Fall Symposium

On November 13, 2009, the New England Journal on Criminal and Civil Confinement co-sponsored its annual symposium with the Flaschner Judicial Institute, entitled "Confronting Forensic Evidence: Implications of Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts and Briscoe v. Virginia." The symposium's prestigious and enthusiastic speakers drew more than 225 attendees including attorneys, judges, academics, and law students from throughout the greater Boston legal community.

On January 25, 2010, the Supreme Court issued a one-sentence per curiam opinion that vacated the judgment of the Supreme Court of Virginia. The case was remanded for further proceedings “not inconsistent with the opinion in Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts.”

The Journal's symposium provided a forum for discussion of the evolving procedures for the admission of forensic evidence in criminal trials, with particular focus on the findings of the recent report by the National Academy of Sciences. The speakers also addressed the practical implications facing prosecutors, defense attorneys, and the forensic science community.

Please click here for a program from the event, which includes the biographies of our speakers and a description of the panel topics.

Further information

Call for papers: The New England Journal on Criminal and Civil Confinement and New England Law | Boston seek submissions concerning the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts. (Submission requirements/guidelines.)